Limits to local government

A great deal is expected of local authority youth policy: the idea is that the local authority is in a better position than central government to develop policy that is tailored to the local situation. Moreover, it is felt that it is easier for local authorities to produce an integral, effective and accessible youth policy. In principle, therefore, local policy ought to be more effective than national policy. In operating that youth policy, however, local authorities are still led by central government policy, which sets the frameworks within which the local authority can operate. And of course, central government also influences the policy freedom of other public authorities with its other policy instruments.